Ankle Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle disability, manifested by instability and pain, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since February 1, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, left knee disability, and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The claim for an initial compensable rating for low back strain prior to July 10, 2013 was also denied. For a staged rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain from July 10, 2013, the Board found insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's service treatment records being fire-related, and a VA examination is needed to confirm the diagnosis of traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of multiple joints, are not service-connected. The right ankle condition is service-connected due to in-service trauma, but other joint conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, right hip, and right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not comply with previous remands and additional development is required. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and right ankle disorder are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD, ischemic heart condition, tinnitus, lumbar osteoarthritis, radiculopathy of the right leg, and ankle strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on his PTSD alone.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a possible TDIU determination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not warranted, and the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not found to be aggravated by his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of in-service orthopedic injuries, and therefore service connection for left knee, right leg, and right ankle disorders cannot be established.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disorders, finding that the Veteran's current ankle conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his military service and is granted. The right ankle and skin disabilities are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right knee sprain, and recurrent left ankle strain are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical examination reports that failed to comply with the Court's holdings in Mitchell v. Shinseki and DeLuca v. Brown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service and was not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis was not caused by or permanently made worse by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, left shoulder, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The evidence received does not relate these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for anal or rectal disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right ankle disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is not related to his service, and thus denied this claim. The remaining issues of bilateral ankle disorder, left knee strain, and right knee arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his mental health conditions and physical disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for ankle disabilities due to a lack of STRs and incomplete medical records. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.